Snoring & Sleep Apnea Linked to Increased Cardiovascular Risk,Busan Hospital Reports Success with CPAP Therapy
Busan,South Korea – Untreated snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) considerably elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline,according to experts at Busan On Hospital’s Sleep Disorder Clinic. A recent case study highlights the transformative impact of positive airway pressure therapy, specifically CPAP, in mitigating these risks and dramatically improving patient quality of life.
A female patient in her 40s presented at Busan On Hospital experiencing repeated snoring,pauses in breathing during sleep,and debilitating daytime sleepiness. Initial polysomnography revealed ‘mild sleep apnea’ with an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 14.4 and a lowest oxygen saturation of 83%.Following a CPAP titration test at 8cmH₂O, her AHI plummeted to 3, and sleep efficiency rose to 96%.”The feeling of suffocation at night disappeared and fatigue was greatly reduced,” the patient reported, stating she was experiencing a “wholly different life” post-treatment.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP/APAP) as the first-line treatment for OSA, and studies demonstrate its high efficacy - improving AHI in 70-90% of cases with more immediate and stable results than medication or surgery. Busan On Hospital confirms treatment patterns aligned with these international standards. Follow-up tests on the patient consistently showed a stable AHI between 1.6 and 4.3, demonstrating sustained benefit.
lee Il-woo,head of the otolaryngology department and a polysomnography-certified physician at Busan On hospital,emphasizes the diagnostic power of polysomnography. “Polysomnography is not simply a test to watch people sleep, but a scientific tool that shows the patient’s sleep structure and problems in numbers,” he explained. “It has the effect of increasing treatment compliance by helping patients understand why they need treatment.”
Dr. Lee further cautioned, “If you are tossing and turning all night long, or are frequently criticized for snoring or apnea, it is necessary to check the exact condition through specialist consultation and examination rather than just passing it off as simple fatigue.” he stressed that early diagnosis and customized treatment are crucial in reducing long-term risks, including cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline.
